potter

1 of 2

noun

pot·​ter ˈpä-tər 

: one that makes pottery

potter

2 of 2

verb

pottered; pottering; potters

intransitive verb

: putter

potterer

ˈpä-tər-ər 

noun

potteringly

ˈpä-tə-riŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of potter

Verb

• putter (around)
• play
• goof (around)
• fiddle (around)
• monkey (around)
• fool around
• hang about

Examples of potter in a Sentence

Verb

pottering around indoors on a rainy day

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The villagers disagree whether the original potters were prisoners or came voluntarily, but their families have lived in the village for 15 generations. —New York Times, 13 Dec. 2025

Visit Tanuki Village and local potters’ studios to observe traditional ceramic techniques. —Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Dec. 2025

Verb

One week Zoë could be working at her job, pottering in the garden, playing with Penelope…but the next week could be spent in bed, in pain, recovering from a surgery or dealing with treatment side effects. —Michael Nied, People.com, 7 July 2025

One rainy afternoon, the kindly octogenarian — wrapped in a warm leopard print jumper — stops pottering around and sinks into her favorite chair to call her daughter. —David Opie, IndieWire, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably frequentative of English dialect pote to poke

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1829, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing potter

• potter around/about
• potter's clay
• potter's field
• potter's wheel

Rhymes for potter

• blotter
• cotter
• daughter
• hotter
• mater
• otter
• plotter
• rotter
• slaughter
• spotter
• squatter
• totter

Kids Definition

potter

1 of 2 noun

pot·​ter ˈpät-ər 

: one that makes pottery

potter

2 of 2 verb

: putter entry 3

potterer noun

Biographical Definition

Potter 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

Pot·​ter ˈpä-tər 

Beatrix 1866–1943 British writer and illustrator

Potter

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Paul or Paulus 1625–1654 Dutch painter